National Republican., 1887-01-25
CONGRESS AND THE DISTRICT.
Another Enort to Consolidate Railroad
Routes in the City.


Senator Ingalls,, In the Senate yesterday,
introduced bill TO regulate the construc-
tion of street railroads and the pavements
between the tracks. It places In the hands
Of the commissioners the power to desig-
nate the character Of rails, material for
pavement and grade used. II the railroads
disobey, then the District will complete the
work and charge II to the companies. This
bill repeals all former laws, and Ia approved
by the District commissioners. Referred to
District committee.
Senator Ingalls, introduced bill defining
the route OF steam railroads in the District,
to take effect after Jan. /, 1890. The terms
Of the bill are as follows: The b. aud o.
road shall enter the city from the north at
the northern line OF Boundary street, near
the intersection OF Ninth street east; thence
along Ninth street east with double track
by means Of open cut aud tunnel to Virginia
avenue southeast: thence along Virginia
avenue westwardly to and opposite squares
numbered south OF 463 and 462; thence
northwardly through those squares to and
upon the public reservation lying between
Sixth and Seventh streets west, and d street
north and B street south, and known as
Armory square, upon such grades as shall
be fixed by the commissioners. The Baltl-
more and Potomac road shall enter the city
Eastern branch Of the Potomac, with n
double track at point between l. aud NJ
streets south, and shall thence follow the
line OF tracks as now laid as far westward
as Virginia avenue and Seventh street north-
east; thence along Virginia avenue parallel
with the route prescribed for the b. and o.
road to and upon the public reservation
named In the preceding section, upon such
grade as the commissioners shall prescribe.
Also that union depot shall be erected
in armory square, at a Joint cost to the two
railroad companies, for passengers and
freight and for necessary tracks for
switches, SC. The expense Of removing
the tracks, depots, buildings, &c, shall bs
borne by the company using them. That
the Baltimore and Ohio company shall, pre-.
viou5 to Jan. !, 1888, construct q double
track railroad, beginning at point on the
Metropolitan branch near where 1t crosses
the Bunker Hill road, thence eastwardly
to the Washington branch OF that railroad,
connecting Herewith north and east of the
National Fair grounds, and shall thereafter
abandon and dismantle the present route Of
the Metropolitan branch between Bunker
Hill road and Delaware avenue.
The Supreme Court shall act as referee In
cases Of dispute between the companies.
The entire lines OF tracks In the city shall
be inclosed on both sides with strong open
iron fence not less than 1--WE feet high and
resting In a granite coping, and the latest
improved automatic gates must be pro-
vided at all street crossings.
The railroad companies shall acquire, by
purchase or otherwise, the right OF way
| over such private property traversed by or
| adjacent to the lines as may be necessary,
| and In case of the refusal of owners to sell,
| or Of any trouble as to title because of In
| FAINT or idiot owners, the bill provides q
| specific method OF condemnation, with the
| right OF appeal by either party that may be
dissatisfied with the verdict.
Each of the railroad companies may con-
struct and maintain double-track railroad
on Virginia avenue, between Sixth and
Eighth streets southwest, and on Maryland
avenue, between Sixth street southwest and
| the Potomac river. From and after the date
fixed in section (Jan. /, 1881, the two
companies shall have joint use and occupa-
tion Of the Long bridge, and shall enjoy
| equal privileges therein.
Senator Ingalls, also introduced bill to
| place the regulation OF steam elevators In
the hands Of the District commissioners,
and providing a $40 to $l00 fine In case of
neglect OF owners of elevators to comply
| with the orders Of the commissioners.
Senator ingalls, also introduced bill for
the plating and subdividing of lands aud
| grounds In the District, and giving the Dis
trict commissioners the power to regulate
| such matters. $50
| Senator Spooner presented a petition for
cheaper gas In Washington, with 200 names
attached, Of business men Of Seventh street
and Of Pennsylvania avenue. The petitioners
desire water gas. They want generators
for each square and In each government
building. They claim better results from
this method.
Senator Ingalls, was besieged yesterday by
bevy Of ladies, who composed delega'
tion to urge that charges against the CON
missioners be pushed. Toe senator as
sured them that the District committee
| would take some action at its next meeting.
| The Senate rictcommittee has decided
that the price of gas must be uniform In all
| parts of the city,
| The traction cable railroad bill is special
| order for Thursday In the House.
Mr.. Barbour, in the House yesterday, IN
troduced bill defining the route of steam
railroads in the District. 1t Is similar to the
bill Of Senator ingalls,.
Mr.. Guenther Introduced q resolution in
the House yesterday inquiring of the Secre
tary Of the Interior and the public printer
to whom has been given the contracts for
| the past five years for making the photo
Autographs for the government and whether
there was any competition for the work.
| The House District committee meets to-
morrow and Mr.. Rowell will endeavor to
| get favorable report on Senator Ingalls's
District fermented liquor bill which passed
| the Senate last session and has been In the
hands Of the House District committee ever
since. The bill will, no doubt, be favorably
| acted upOp.